Durkan: Eve of biggest strike action should focus minds on failed leadership

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has criticised the continued political standoff between the DUP and Secretary of State, preventing the delivery of a pay rise for public sector workers.

Mr Durkan said the general public want “progress not pageantry”.

Speaking following the latest recall of the Assembly, the Foyle MLA said: “On the eve of the largest generalised strike, it’s fair to say the general mood is sombre, exasperated and angry.

“Tomorrow, health staff, bus and train drivers, teachers, road service and civil servants will be forced onto the picket lines.

“The disruption and impact on the day is nothing compared the disruption and degradation to public services which has been caused by years of dysfunction and deadlock presided over by leadership parties here.

“It borders on insanity given the scale of the crisis facing the North, that the DUP continue to use people as pawns in a game of political football between them and the Secretary of State.

“The DUP claim they fully support public sector workers and that there is ‘no justification’ for funding being withhold.

“It would seem the audacious hypocrisy is lost on them.

“The £3.3billion package on the table, inclusive of a public sector pay deal, isn’t blackmail it’s a lifeline.

“It would serve the DUP well to remember that the tactic being used by the Secretary of State is being used precisely because it was successful in restoring Stormont last time around.

“The DUP uphold their narrow self-interests while our communities come apart at the seams.

“Hospital waiting lists continue to spiral, A&E departments mirror those of a warzone, children with additional needs aren’t getting the support they need, road infrastructure isn’t just a safety issue but proving fatal.

“In the meantime, public sector staff who deliver the services we need to function as a society can’t afford to pay their bills and struggle to feed their families.

“The latest Assembly recall is the seventh since May 2022 – each attempt being blocked by the DUP.

“I’m under no illusion that the restoration of an Assembly will solve every problem, the potholes won’t be filled with gold.

“Serious and embedded issues within our society will remain but at least MLAs would have an avenue to rectify those problems and do the job we were elected to do.

“Fair pay must be delivered now – people cannot afford to wait. Staff are suffering, the wider public is suffering and lives are being lost.”

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